Discharge apparatus for fluids and semifluid substances



April 9, 1940.

P. F. CROTHERS DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR FLUIDS AND SEMIFLUID SUBSTANCES 3 Sheets-Sheet '1' Filed Aug. 7, 1959 m L y E a m \WW 0 S m Q 0 m W y 5 5 a A f 5% v UP W um -\k In 2 6 6 u 0 a H a P m a April 9, 1940. P. F. CROTHERS DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR FLUIDS AND SEMIFLUID SUBSTANCES Filed Aug. 7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [We/mar z i z z7 Patented Apr. 9,1940

' SEMIFLUID SUBSTANCES Paul Faulkner Crothers, London, England, assignor to Trier Bros. Limited, London, England, a companyof Great Britain v Application August 7,

1939, Serial No. 288,871

In -Great Britain August 17, 1938 "15 Claims.

This inventionrelates to discharge apparatus for fluid and-semifluid or plastic substances of the kind comprising a cylinder in which is mounted to slide a floating piston which divides the cylinder into two chambers, one of which is adapted to be filledwith the substance to bedischarged while the other is connected to means, for example a pump, for, delivering liquid (hereinafter called pressure liquid) thereto under pressure and at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge/ For the sake of convenience the chamber adapted to contain the substance to be discharged will hereinafter be referred to as the upper chamber while that to which the pressure liquid is delivered. will be referred to as the lower chamber although the reverse arrangement or arrangements in which the cylinder is horizontal or inclined may be adopted.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the above kind in which the replenishing of the upper chamber with the substance to be discharged is made possible in a simple and efiective manner.

To this end app ratus of the above kind according to the present inventioncomprises a cylinder containing a floatingpiston which divides the cylinder into upper and lower chambers, means for connecting the upper chamber to a discharge passage for the substance to be discharged, a pump adapted to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering pressure liquid to the lower chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge and manually operated mechanism for operating a pump whereby pressure liquid can-be withdrawn from the lower chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that at which the poweroperated pump is adapted to deliver pressure liquid.

Preferably the manually operated mechanism is such that the withdrawal of pressure liquid pump may either be stopped or continue to operate during the operation of the manually operated pump. In any case, the upper chamber in addition to means for connecting it to a discharge passage may be provided with means for connecting it to an inlet passage adapted to communicate with a source of supply of the substance to be discharged so that when the floating piston is moved downwards by withdrawal of pressure liquid from the lower chamber by the manually operated pump, the upper chamber is automatically replenished. In this case the inlet'and discharge passages are conveniently provided with nonreturn valves although manually operated valves may be employed if desired. Alternatively after the piston has been drawn downwards the upper chamber may be adapted to be replenished by hand, for example through a filling opening normally closed by a suitable cap, plug or the like or by removing the upper end of the cyl' inder.

Preferably a relief valve is provided for permitting escapeof pressure liquid delivered'by, the power-operated pump when the pressure of this liquid exceeds a predetermined Value, for example when the floating piston reaches the end of its upward or discharge stroke if the manually operatedpump is not immediately actuated to withdraw pressure liquid from the lower chamber.

In addition a pressure gauge subject to the pressure of the pressure liquid delivered by the power-operated pump is preferably provided to indicate when the pressure exceeds the value normally necessary to effect discharge thus enabling an operator'to see when the manually operated pump should beactuated to replenish the cylinder with the substance to be dischargedl Means are conveniently provided for varying the rateof delivery of the power-operated pump so as tovary the rate of discharge. Thus, in one arrangement means may be provided for varying the stroke of the piston of this pump. In this case the means may comprise a shaft mounted to oscillate and carrying a piston-actuating, arm or crank for actuating the pump piston, a shaftactuating arm mounted to rock freely about the axis of the shaft and adapted to be connected to power-operated mechanism, for example by an actuating rod or link, and adjustable stops on the shaft or a member carried thereby for limiting and, controlling the extent of free oscillating movement of the actuating arm relatively to the shaft. s

Thus, by varying the extent of this free movement, the degree of oscillation imparted to the shaft and hence the stroke of the pump can be varied. In addition, the shaft-actuating arm may be adapted to be connected at any one of a number of points in its length to the actuating rod, link or the like so that the degree of oscilla tion imparted thereto can be varied. 1

In addition, or alternatively; the effective rate of delivery of the pump may be varied by providing in the end of the pump cylinder not occupied by the pump piston a dummy piston pressed towards the pump piston by a spring intoengagement with a stop which is adjustable to vary the position of rest of the"dummy'piston, this dummy piston, when in its position of rest, covering a delivery port or ports for liquid. Thus, by adjusting the position of rest of the dummy piston by means of the stop, the extent "of movement of this dummy piston under the action of liquid trapped between it and the pump piston before thedeliveryport opens to permit delivery, and hence the quantity of pressure liquid deliveredon each pump piston stroke can be varied.

In such an arrangement thestop may be formed or mounted on a cage' which also acts as an abutment for the spring acting onthe dummy piston and is adjustable so-as to vary the position of rest'of the dummy piston Without however altering the force exerted thereonby the spring since the dummy piston stop and spring then move-as a unit with the-cage.-- 1

Further a fixed stop limiting the movement of the dummy piston-against the actionof its spring after it hasuncovered the delivery port may be provided so that delivery of pressure liquid will take place irrespective otthe pressure in the delivery port. I

In anycase the pressure liquid delivered by the power-operated pump preferably passes through a sight glass'either on the suctionor delivery side of the pump so as to enable the rate-oi delivery and hence the-rate of discharge of the substance from the'upper chamber to begauged. Preferably'the sight glass is on-the suction side of the pump so as not to be exposed to" the pressure of'delivery.

Theinvention maybe carried into practice in Figure 5 is a side elevation partly in section showing the upper endof the apparatus with means forreplenishing'it from a tin or container, and r Figure 6 is a cross-sectional elevation of a sight feed whichmay be used in the construction illustrated.

' In the construction illustrated'the apparatus comprises a base A on which is formed a vertical cylinder 13 containing a floating piston B dividing the cylinder into upper and lower chambers B B 'The piston as shown is provided with packing of "cup leather or other type for preventing flow of fluid past it in'either direction.

Closing the upper end of the cylinder B is an end. cap C provided with'a'n outlet passage C communicating with a delivery pipe C 'and controlled by an automatic" non-return valve .0

Also formed in the cap Cisan inlet passage 0 controlled'by an' automatic non-return Valve C of the spring-leaf type and adapted to be connected through a pipe C with a container or reservoir from whicha fresh supply of lubricant i or other substance (hereinafter termed lubricant) to be delivered by the apparatus can be drawn into the chamber B when necessary. It will be seen-that the valve C is of a type havinga com paratively large area of opening and ofiering little,

" a' deliverypas'sa'ge D for pressure liquid, for (ex- 'ample'oi l; to which pressure liquid can be supplied by a power-operated pump comprising a pump casingrE secured tothe base A and lying within; a pressure'liquid sump A secured to the base A and adaptedto form a source of supply from which the pump draws pressure liquid and deliversitlthrough: thedelivery passage 'D.- Formed in the pump casing E is a-loore E constituting I the pump cylinder-into one endoflwhichprojects a pump piston E whileinto i-ts otherend projects dummy: piston-E Q The pump-piston E is adapted to be reciprocated by alever F engaging a slot-in a member F secured to the end of the pump piston and mounted upon a-shaftlr arranged to have oscillating; movement imparted thereto by ,mechanism' hereinafter described.

The movement-Jof-the pump piston E? is such thatat or towardsthe end of each suction stroke it-uncovers an=inlet=port E v in the'bore E communicating through a filter E with the sump A so that during the initial part of the delivery stroke of the piston E until the piston E covers the port- E pressure liquidis returned to the sump through the port E The dummy piston E is pressed towardsthe pump piston=-by a= spring-G and. is provided with a collarE acting'as a stop which so limits its movement'under the 'action' of the spring G that,

when-in its"- position of rest; it covers a delivery port leadingto the delivery passage D and controlled by anon-return valve D It will be seen that lay-"varying the position of I rest of the dummy piston E the 1 quantity ofliquid delivered during each stroke or the pumppiston E can bevaried. Thus if the'dummy piston is adjusted so that in its position ofrest it lies nearer to the piston sageD willfbereduced and vice versa.

Inorder'to' enable the position of rest of'the dummy piston-to becontrolled, the dummy piston extends into acaslng G which is capable of sliding but not of'rotating within the casing E and contains the-"springGacting on the dummy piston; The'jend'of thecasing G remote from the dummy pistonE isclosed by acap G acting as an abutment for the spring G and having a screwthreadedbore which is engaged 'by 'a screwthreaded rod G -passing'throughbut held from axial movement relatively to acap G secured the left so'that it'is held from further move ment in this direction when it has uncovered the delivery port leading 'to the passage D. Thus,

whatever the pressure in the'passage D the deliveryof liquid through the valve D is assured forthewholeof the remaining partv of'the jstroke ofthe pistonE after the dummypist'on'E has 50. E the quantity or liquid delivered to the pasl uncovered the delivery port and engaged the end of the rod G It will also be seen that the construction shown for adjusting the position of rest of the dummy piston enables this adjustment to be effected without altering the efiective force of the spring G when the dummy piston is in its position of rest.

Communicating with the delivery passage D is a passage D leading through a relief valve D back into the sump A and also communicating with a pressure gauge D l v Also communicating with the lower chamber B is a suction passage H leading to a bore H in the base A constituting the cylinder of a manually operated pump comprising a pump plunger H pivotally connected at its outer end to a lever H which is pivotally connected to one end of a link H the other end of which is pivoted to the base A. Mounted to slide within the end of the bore H remote from the plunger H is a dummy piston H acted upon by a compression spring H and having a flange H which acts as a stop such that in its position of rest the piston H covers an outlet port H leading from the bore H into the sump A The lever H is provided with a socket adapted to receive the end of a handle H and it will be seen that when the lever H is rocked by the handle H so asto reciprocate the plunger H the pump will draw operating liquid through the passage H from the lower chamber B and discharge it through the outlet passage H Moreover this hand-operated pump is of such capacity in relation to the power-operated pump that withdrawal of the operatingliquid from the lower chamber B can be effected rapidly by hand even when the power-operated pump is in continuous operation.

The mechanism whereby the shaft F is rocked comprises a part K rigidly secured to the shaft F and having a projecting spigot K on which is mounted to rock freely a plate L spaced from but rigidly secured to a second plate L by two studs L Also mounted to rock freely upon the spigot K is an arm K disposed between the plates L and L The plate L is provided with two arcuate slots L adapted to receiveadjustable stops L with which the arm K cooperates. The arm K is adapted to be connected, for example by a link K to suitable power-operated mechanism whereby the arm is oscillated, and it will be seen that by adjusting the stops L it is possible to vary the degree of free movement of the arm K between the, stops L and hence the extent of oscillating movement imparted by the arm through the stops to the plates L L Normally the plate L is rigidly connected to the part K by a spring-pressed bolt member K having a handle K and a pin K adapted to slide in a slot in the part K so that by moving the bolt K against the action of its spring by means of the handle K and then turning this handle through a small angle, the pin K will hold the bolt in its withdrawn position so that the part K is disconnected from the plate L. In this way rocking movement of the part K and hence of the shaft F with the plate L can be prevented if desired, while moreover the arrangement enables the shaft F to be rocked by hand, for example through a socket K secured to the end remote from the part K when desired. For this purpose the handle I-I may be arranged to fit the socket member K".

It will be appreciated that the part K may be secured to the shaft F in any desired rotational position according to the position desired for the arm K The part K may be provided with lugs K cooperating with stops K on the casing A appropriately disposed to limit the maximum rocking movement of the part K for the purpose of avoiding excessive reciprocation being imparted to the piston E n An oil level gauge M is conveniently secured to the sump A so as to indicate the oil level therein, and alternative positions for this oil gauge may be provided on the sump. Further, a cap M normally closing a filling aperture in the casing A is provided to enable the oil in the sump to be replenished when desired. It will be appreciated that the oil level in the sump at any moment will give an indication of the quantity of oil in the chamber B and hence of the quantity of lubricant still in the chamber B The arm K may be provided with alternative holes for the pivot connecting the link F thereto so as to enable the oscillation of this arm to be varied or a suitable point of connection chosen in accordance with the movement of the powerdriven member to which the link K is coupled.

In operation it will be seen that the oscillation of the arm K acts through the stops L the plates L and L and the part K to oscillate the shaft F and hence to cause reciprocation of the piston E liquid from thesump A and deliversit through the delivery passage D to the lower chamber B at a rate determined by the settings of the stops L and of the dummy piston E I The liquid thus delivered forces the piston B upwards to discharge lubricant at the desired rate through the passage C and pipe C When the piston B reaches the end of its upstroke, so that further pressure liquid cannot be delivered to the chamber B the gauge D will show a rise in pressure and liquid delivered by the piston E will flow through the relief valve D back into the sump. The upper chamber B can then be replenished by manual operation of the plunger H through the lever H by the handle H vso as to withdraw operating liquid from the chamber B and thus cause the piston B to descend and draw in a fresh charge of lubricantthrough the passage C.

Figure 5 shows an arrangement whereby the upper chamber 13 can be replenished with semisolids such as grease from a portable container in the form of a tin, of the known kind in which a piston constituted by a metal disc with a hole in its centre forming the discharge aperture rests upon the surface of the lubricant in the tin adjacent to its lid-and is adapted to be pressed downwards to cause discharge of lubricant through the hole. Thus in this arrangement the. passage C has secured thereto an adapter N having a head N the aperture in which is sur rounded by a flexible packing ring N Normally closing the aperture in the head N is a cap 0 having a handle 0 rigidly secured to a short shaft 0 projecting therefrom. Freely surrounding the shaft 0 is a collar 0 having radially projecting arms 0? to each of which is connected one end of a tension spring 0 the other end of which is connected to the adapter at 0 When the chamber B is to be replenished, the cap 0 is withdrawn from the head N against the action of the springs O and a tin container P of the kind referred to above containing a plate-like piston P with a central hole P is applied to the head N The piston E thus draws operating as shown so that the plate P rests upon the packthe chamber'B so, that the piston B descends, lubricant is forced fromwithin the tin Pthrough the; aperture-P the adapter N and the passage 0* into the. chamber B Conveniently the capacity of. the chamber B is such in relation to that of the tin P that the tin P will thus-becompletely emptied so that it can then be removed and the cap Oagain applied to the. head N Where a liquid'lubricant is to be delivered by the apparatus it will be understood that the chamber B may be replenished by pouring such lubricant through a filling aperture normally closed by. a removable plug indicated at C In some cases the piston E instead of drawing'qpressureliquid direct from the sump A may draw it through sight glass so as to'enable the rate of delivery ofpressure liquid to be observed. In this case the sight glass may be constructed, for example, as shown'in Figure 6. In this construction the sight glass comprises a tubular body Q'containing a glass tube Q which can be viewed through a slot or slots Q The upper end of the, tubular body isclosed by a cap Q between which and the lower end of the body the glass tube Q is gripped so that with the assistance of packing rings Q the ends of the glass tube make fluid-tight joints with these parts. The lower end of the body is formed with an outlet passage Q while the cap Q carries an inlet passage Q with a wire R extending between the inlet and outlet passages to guide oil flowing from oneto the other. The inlet passage Q leads out of a chamber S closed at its upper end by a valve housing S in which is mounted a valve S acted upon by a spring 5 and having a hollow stem. the bore of which communicates at one end with an inlet chamber S and at its other end with radial ports S in the stem.

The arrangement is such that when no suction is applied to the outlet passage-Q the valve occupies the position shown so that the ports Stare closed but. when sufiicient suction is ap plied to the outlet passage Q the valve moves downwards so as to open the ports S to admit oil to the chamber S which then flows through the passage Q and the glass tube Q along the wire R into the outlet passage Q In amodification of the construction shown in Figures 1 to l of thedrawings, the piston F may be operated by a rotating shaft through a cam or eccentric engaging a slot in a member connected to the piston. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to any particular way of operating the power-operated pump or the manually operated pump. I

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

g 1. Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder dividing it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber, a discharge passage communicating with the delivery substance chamber, a first pump arranged to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawing operating liquid from the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that at which the first pump is adapted to deliver operating liquid, and means'whereby'the said second pump can be actuated. manually.

2; Delivery. apparatus of the piston. and cylinder type :i or liquid-- or seiniliquid substancesin cluding in combination a. cylinder, a iioating piston inthecylinder dividing it into a, delivery substance chamber. and an operating liquid chamber, a delivery-passage and an inlet passage communicating with the delivery substance, chamber, valves for controlling the delivery and inletpassages,- afirst pump arranged to be operated by power driven mechanism for delivering operating-liquidto the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawwith the deliveiysubstance chamber, automatic non-return valves controlling the delivery and inlet passages, a first pump arranged to be operated by power driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operatingliquid chamberat a ratedetermined in accordance with the desired rate .of discharge, a second pump for-withdrawing operating liquid from the operating liq: uid. chamber. at a rate considerably in excess of that at. which the first pump is adapted to-.deliveroperating liquid, andmeans whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually.

4. Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid sub tances ineluding in combination a cylinder, afloating piston in the cylinder dividing-it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chan ber, adisch'arge passage communicating with the delivery substance chamber, a first pump arranged tobe operated by power-driven mecha-] from the operating liquid chamber at a rate con--- siderably in excess ofthat at which the first pump is adapted to deliver operating. liquid,

meanswvhereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, and a relief: valve permitting escape of operating liquid delivered by the first pump when the pressure in the operating liquid chamber exceedsa predetermined value.

5z'Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquidand serniliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating pistonin the cylinder dividing it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber;'- delivery andtinlet passages com-mum"- c'ating with the delivery substance chamber, automatic non-return valves controliing the delivery and inlet passages, a first pump arranged to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump'ior withdrawing operating liquidfrom the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that atwhichthefirst pump is adapted to deliver operating liquid, means whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, and a relief. valve permitting escape. ofoperating liquid delivered by the first pump when the pressurein the operating-liquid mined value. v

6. Delivery apparatus of the piston'and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating pischamber exceeds a predeterton in the cylinder dividing it into a delivery of that at which the first pump is adapted to deliver operating liquid, means whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, and a pressure gauge for indicating the pressure in the operating liquid chamber. 1

7. Delivery'apparatusof the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder dividing it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber, a discharge passage communicating with the delivery substance chamber, a first pump arranged to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawing operating liquid from the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that at which the first pump is adapted to de-- liver operating liquid, means whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, a relief valve permitting escape of operating liquid delivered by the first pump when the pressure in the operating liquid chamber exceeds a predetermined value, and a pressure gauge for indicating the pressure in the operating liquid chamber.

8. Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances in cluding in combination a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder dividing it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber, a discharge passage communicating with the delivery substance chamber, a first pump arranged to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawing operating liquid from the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that at which the first pump is adapted to deliver operating liquid, means whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, and

means for varying the rate first pump.

9. Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder dividing it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber,

of delivery of the delivery and inlet passages communicating with the delivery substance chamber, automatic nonreturn valves controlling theidelivery and inlet passages, a first pump arranged to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawing operating. liquid from the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that at which the first pump is adapted to deliver operating liquid, means whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, and means for varying the rate of delivery of'the first pump.

10. Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder dividingit into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber,

a discharge passage communicating with the delivery substanc'e chambena first pump arranged to be operatedlby powei driven mechanism for delivering operating liquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawing operating liquid from the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess of that at which the first pump is adapted to deliver operating liquid, means whereby the said second pump can be actuated manually, and means for varying the rate of delivery of the first pump, such means comprising a shaft mounted to oscillate, an arm on the shaft actuating the pump piston, a shaft-actuating arm mounted to rock freely about the axis of the shaft and adapted to be connected to power-operated mechanism, a member connected to the shaft, and adjustable stops on the said member for limiting and controlling the extent of free, movement of the shaftactuating arm relatively to the shaft.

'11. Delivery apparatus of the piston and cylinder type for liquid and semiliquid substances including in combination a cylinder, a floating piston in the cylinder dividing it into a delivery substance chamber and an operating liquid chamber, a discharge passage communicating with the delivery substance chamber, a first pump arranged to be operated by power-driven mechanism for delivering operatingliquid to the operating liquid chamber at a rate determined in accordance with the desired rate of discharge, a second pump for withdrawing operating liquid from the operating liquid chamber at a rate considerably in excess pump cylinder remote from the pump piston, a

stop limiting the movement of the dummy piston under the action of its spring so that in its position of rest it covers a delivery port in the pump cylinder, means for adjusting the position of the stop so as to vary the position of rest of the dummy piston, and a fixed stop which permits movement of the dummy piston against the action of its spring until it uncovers the delivery port but prevents further movement of the dummy piston,

against the action of its spring.

12; Delivery apparatus including in combination the elements set forth in claim 10, in which means are provided whereby the member carrying the stops can be coupled to and uncoupled the shaft-actuating arm is adapted to be con- 'nected by a link to power-yoperated "mechanism for oscillating it and'isfformedso thatthetpoint in its length at which the link is'connected thereto can be varied.

15. Delivery apparatus including in combination the elements set forth in claim 2, wherein there is combined with the inletpassage a-'tubular adapter, a packing ring surroundingthe aperture at the free end of the adapterya cap normally PAUL FAULKNER CROTHERS. 

